CM Shivakumar flags Karnataka's development priorities, seeks Centre's cooperation on key issues

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], November 13 : Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday placed three key demands before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking the Centre's intervention in the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, the state's opposition to the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats and the formulation of CSR guidelines to strengthen primary education.
Addressing the inauguration of CoSMOS (Centre of Space and Modern Optical) in Mysuru in the presence of the Prime Minister, Shivakumar said while science and technology were shaping the future, Karnataka also needed the Union Government's urgent support and cooperation on key development issues.
Emphasising the importance of supporting the state's young talent, he said Karnataka's youth were looking towards the Prime Minister for assistance in strengthening technological growth and creating better opportunities.
"While science and technology light up the future, we all face a critical development need on the ground that requires the Union Government's urgent support and cooperation. Sir, last time I said that with my respects. Today, you have come here. You are here to help us. We know that. Karnataka's young minds are looking at your support to see that technology grows up and they grow stronger. In this spirit, I would like to place three vital, important matters," he said.
Shivakumar first sought the Centre's assistance in securing the necessary clearances for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project. Referring to the Kaveri River, he said the proposed reservoir was vital for drinking water requirements and would benefit not only Karnataka but also other regions dependent on the river.
"The Supreme Court has delivered a clear verdict to all of us: that Mekedatu has to be built in Karnataka and no one can stop it. We want you to help us legally. We want you. You have the Union government to grant a final decision on which the forest clearances have been done. It is a vital balancing reserve. So I hope that your administration will help us. Let us all work together," Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the Kaveri's importance to several regions, he urged the Centre to support the project, pointing out that its benefits would extend beyond Karnataka.
"(This project) helps Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Keralam, Bengaluru. We want you to help us with this balancing reservoir for drinking water, which also will help Tamil Nadu. I want you to help us," he added.
The Chief Minister also raised Karnataka's opposition to the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats, saying the state had held consultations and passed a unanimous resolution against it. He sought the Prime Minister's intervention in addressing the state's concerns.
"Apart from that, the Western Ghats Kasturirangan report. We all came out with a consultation. We had a meeting; we passed a resolution. We want a unanimous resolution we did opposing Kasturirangan report, we want you to help on this," he said.
His third request was related to primary education and the utilisation of CSR funds. Referring to his meeting with the Union Finance Minister, Shivakumar said Karnataka wanted a dedicated policy and guidelines to ensure that corporate contributions were directed towards improving education in government schools.
He stressed that students in villages should have access to the same quality of education as those studying in urban areas and urged the Prime Minister to issue appropriate directions for the utilisation of CSR funds in the sector.
"Once I met the honourable Union Minister for Finance. We requested on the primary education. Come out with a policy of the CSR policy. We want CSR guidelines for primary education. We want every village student also to have a better quality education, which is available in the towns and cities. So I want you to give proper direction so that whichever CSR funds are there, it should go to the government..." he said.
Shivakumar said he wanted to place these three matters before PM Modi and sought the Union Government's cooperation in addressing Karnataka's development priorities.